Within Fiain's borders lies as varied landscape that thrives in a delicate balance between the races that call the kingdom there home. From the mountainous border with the Hinterlands in but a scant few days travel away, lush forests give way to harsh desert landscapes and desolate marshland becomes thriving coastal reefs and bustling sea ports. The high druid and their council are acknowledged as the leaders of Fiain and their words are heeded by those who call the wilds their home. Be it among the Daoine Fae and their court or the scattered human settlements, none of the Fiain are under any illusions that the law of the land holds sway

Common Races: Humans, Fae.

Uncommon Races: Yo'tan, Naturae,

Rare Races: Shadowkith, Risen

Geography:

The kingdom of Fiáin is split up into four major geographical areas. The terrain of these lands has influenced the people here and they are all very different in their outlook and appearance. However, they each heed the council of the druidic enclave and it is their laws and rule that they follow.

People of the forest

The People of the forest are a people that follow the laws set by the druidic enclave. They are raised to understand the forest and to live in perfect harmony with it. For every tree they fell, they take care to nurture another two in its place and their hunting is carefully restricted to those animals that will not negatively impact on the ability of that race to reproduce.

It is no surprise then that human druids are often chosen from their ranks by the Daoine to be trained in the more powerful of rites and rituals. The People of the forest also make excellent trackers and huntsmen and make some of the finest bows in all of Fiáin, so good in fact that Satyrs and Sidhe may sometimes come to trade for them.

A typical settlement within the forest would mimic a tree house city on several levels with rope ladders or stairs carved into the trees as ways of reaching the lower levels from the floor, or is a number of log cabins within glades and rudimentary defences.

People of the forest dress in typical ranger garb, lightly armoured in soft leather with cloaks weaved in earth colours. Greens and browns are prevalent colours within these lands.

People of the marshes

The People of the marshes live a harsh life and rely on their ability to forage for survival. They trade the rare herbs of the marshlands for those essentials like salt, not found with their watery landscape. They become experts at survival in marshland, alchemists and are good traders. They understand the need for balance in what they do, and are careful to take only what they need and to never be wasteful.

These are a people that have become some of the hardiest of the People, able to survive in the marshlands permanently. This is a likely cause for them to be sought out for their skill and knowledge.

A typical settlement would be on a reed built island, providing homes for no more than 5 families. The island would be moved along the waterways from time to time, to avoid the resources in a single area being completely depleted.

People of the marshes wear leather that has often been skinned from marsh crocodiles and often use other adornments from animals that have been killed for food so as not to waste the animal.

People of the plains

The plains men and women are mostly nomadic in structure travelling between the eastern shores, the forest and the marshes. As a result of this travelling, they are extremely knowledgeable about the kingdom and are often asked by all races to give reports or deliver goods between cities.

The people of the plains also helped the Yo’Tan of the wastelands to create the trading post at the south of the kingdom and have the best relationship with them of all the other races. The people of the plains have also encountered the Shadowkith and have opened trade with them.

These people are almost solely responsible for any communication or trading network within the kingdom of Fiáin. Universally liked by all, they are an invaluable part of the kingdoms infrastructure.

A typical settlement, whether on the road or not, is a vast tent city, with lavishly adorned tents and strange tobaccos and alcohol for visitors to sample and purchase. The people of the plains wear loose fitting robes and clothing fit for purpose, often in shades of cream and light browns.

People of the eastern shore

From the bustling metropolitan port to the north to the lagoon to the south, the people of the eastern shore are by far the most numerous of the Maestir. Their towns and cities span the coastline and they work tirelessly to ensure their livelihood is profitable. These people are shipbuilders, fishermen and are expert traders of their wares.

The People of the eastern shores live predominantly the port city of Shann and are the wealthiest due to the trade that flows freely through the only port in Fiáin. Meanwhile, in the southern lagoon, a thriving boat building trade make excellent river boats and small fishing vessels. Apart from the boat building, these people also trade heavily in salt and fish from the seas around the eastern shore.

A typical town here is mostly crafted from stone to withstand the harsh winter storms. Shann is encircled with vast defensive walls. The people of the shores tend to wear leather for its waterproof qualities and durability, but relish social functions as an opportunity to air out their high quality colourful festive garments.

People of the mountains

Living within the foothills and mountains of Fiáin, these people have suffered terribly from the Shadowkith raids that regularly come to plunder the resources of the forests. They build into mountain rock, using their mining skills to create vast tunnel networks where they live in small communities.

These People primarily quarry stone. A proud and loyal people to the Maestir; they also hold a secret that the Daoine must never know, for within the tunnels is a place where the tainted children are taken from across Fiáin and nurtured to adulthood.

In this community, both men and women take charge of teaching the young children about their heritage and how one day the Daoine Fae will see beyond their hatred of them.

There is only one major town of these people, and it consists of 25 stone dwellings on a sizable mountain ledge, although look beneath the surface and the town extends much further under the ground.

Clothing for the mountain folk is often furs and it is not uncommon to see iron armour pieces worn by the more warlike among them.

Politics:

Each area is served by a druid, who will guide and lead those under him. Smaller villages will have one druid that advices the chieftains of each village, however, it is the druids that wield the law and power in this country. The head of the druidic enclave is chosen by a vote of the druids, and they hold that position until they die. At this moment in time the Chief Druid is a vacant position and many of the up and coming druids are vying for position and favour.

Religion:

Unlike the rest of the human kingdoms, worship of the gods is a lot more scarce, a lot of the humans preferring to worship the spirits of the Earth in the same way as the Fae. However, worship of the Calinthean gods are growing and the Fae seem keen to encourage the destiny of man rather than hindering them.

Bran

The Father God

Dôn

The Mother Goddess

Beli

The Lord of the Sun

Mabon

The Lord of the Hunt

Llŷr

The Lord of the Sea

Gwydyon

The Lord of War

Beira

The Winter Queen

Aranrhod

Goddess of Fertility

Daughter of the Mother Goddess and the Father God

Amaethon

Lord of Agriculture

Son of the Mother Goddess and the Lord of the Sun

Gorvannan

The Smith

Son of the Mother Goddess and the Father God

Arawn

Lord of the Dead

Son of the Mother Goddess and the Lord of War

Stereotypes:

Fae are one of the most common races in Fiáin, and although they claim to take no role in human politics, they keep a close eye on the druidic enclave and they guide it strongly. The chief druid will normally have the full support of the Fae within the nation. Although there are some that claim that the druidic enclave is merely a puppet of the Fae courts. The Court of Ash and the Court of Oak, the spiritual and political leaders of the Fae are both based in Fiáin.

The Risen are despised within Fiáin itself, and generally their presence is seen as much of an abomination as the Tainted. The druid’s enclave has warned against the danger of the risen and this is headed by many within the nation.

The Tainted are also outlawed by the druids enclave, although there are some within the nation who have defied the wished on the council and raised them as their own. It is hoped that the next chief druid will have a more lenient view on these poor wretches.

Naturae within Fiáin are treated with respect, and generally join with the Fae here to join and support their courts. Many of the Maestir here often cannot see the difference between the Fae and Naturae and treat them both the same. The Naturae within Fiáin are the most politically active of all Naturae, seeing their future linked with the druidic faith and the success of the Fae Courts.

Shadowkith are rare within Fiáin, normally those who are there are travellers from the Hinterlands who have made Fiáin their temporary home. They are often thought of as spies and thieves and their link with the realm of Shadows makes them distrusted and disliked.

Yo’Tan live in the mountains and wastelands of Fiáin, and they generally keep out of the way of the Fae who their rivalries with are still brewing under the surface. Their tribes will trade with humans but they claim the land their own and see it as their own duty to protect.

Names:

The people of Fiáin names are often welsh sounding. Their surnames either tell of profession or tell of the name of their father or a hero that they are descended from.